Secret Underground Headquarters

Twitter Updates

6.11.2012

So I recently saw the list of DC's solicitations for september over at Comics Alliance and found this as the cover of Green Lantern #0.

So now with all the hubbub of Alan Scott (Green Lantern of a parallel Earth) being being gay in his debut in DC's New 52 Universe, I really can't wait to see what we think of the new Muslim (note the Arabic "tattoo") Green Lantern coming out this fall.

The way I see it, kudos for DC bringing in a Muslim character. I really wish it wasn't another Green Lantern since now there's 6 of them and that's at least 4 too many. Domino masks are a classic, I don't know why DC can't just do that. I never liked Kyle's noseless mask thing and I never will. This "Ski mask from TRON" thing goes even further away from the simple Domino. Boo.

Beyond the odd choice in mask, or how there's a (possible Green Lantern light construct of a) tatto in Arabic on his forearm, I'm really most confused about the gun.

Unless... and I sincerely hope this is not the case as it is a horrible idea. This guy used to be a terrorist.
It's an appealing enough story arc, while signed up as a suicide bomber he's recognized by the Green Lanterns as being "without fear" and has a nice little story line where he stops being a terrorist and starts being a hero. The plot writes itself. Except that's incredibly lazy storytelling and the worst idea for a Muslim superhero ever. Don't do it. Just don't.

However, there's always the chance that this character is just Night Runner from Batman Inc.

Night Runner is a Muslim from France, not a terrorist, AND both costumes in question have fingerless gloves, and short sleeved shirts with a chest design that comes up and over the shoulders. Most importantly not a terrorist. In fact, if he had a moment of crisis and had to struggle with using a gun to save an innocent person's life or break the rules Batman set, that could be interesting. Perhaps that explains why he's no longer part of Batman Inc. Though I would encourage them to ditch the gun soon after this plot point.

A plucky young hero with ties to Batman AND Green Lantern? (both DC's two top-selling groups of books, mind you) Sign me up.

My favorite has to be the zombie dressed as the mom from The Fresh Prince's "Parents Just Don't Understand" music video, so it's both undead (FORBIDDEN!) and disrespectful towards parents (ALSO FORBIDDEN!).

1.04.2012

Here's my entry for SuperPunch's James Bond Art Jam, I figured a collector's edition luxury playing cards seemed like a good idea, with each one of the suits for one of my favorite Bond actors, one of their Bond girls and one of their villains.
The cards have a matte finish on the backgrounds, while the suit, value and art have a glossy finish.
-Joe D! & Jessica.

As much as I loved Bruce Timm's work over the past 20 years, and I'm excited to see Professor Pyg et al, the people working on this are aware Batman doesn't dig guns right? Like, did Alfred just decide "Hey Brucey, remember how your parent's died? I thought it would be a great idea to remind you every night as I hung out with you shooting bad guys without due process. Bang, bang, bang, your parent's are dead."

10.03.2011

It's the cover for American Gods #1 in the style of Jack Kirby's New Gods. I don't know if it's noticeable, but I'd like to mention that I used the old Chemical Color Chart color pallet and instead of just using Photoshop's Color Half-tone Filter to make that Zip-a-Tone look, I actually separated each color and shade on to separate layers and applied them one at a time (all the tiny blue dots at once, then all the solid yellow, etc.) all trying to mimic the resources and workflow of Jack Kirby. I'm sure I butchered his art style, but it's great to get a look into how things used to be done and a find a new respect for the old masters.

I was only tangentially familiar with American Gods before this project, and after I did some research the American Gods/New Gods mash up idea crept into my head and I couldn't get it out.

If I can find out how, I'll upload the template I made with the historically accurate colors and Zip-a-Tone style process to my site for anyone else who wants to try this method, as well as a tutorial if I have the time. *UPDATE* I probably won't have time.

As usual, this was a blast and a great exercise in creativity. I can't wait to see what SuperPunch comes up with next.